Sierra Leone: Ebola spreading in Western Area, Bo & Port Loko

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Miatta Kargbo yesterday disclosed to the leadership of Parliament that while Kailahun district is recording downward trend in the Ebola virus cases, the Western Area, Bo and Port Loko districts are recording high cases of the Ebola virus in the country.

She was speaking at an emergency meeting summoned by the leadership of the House of Parliament at Committee Room No. 1. The Minister accompanied by senior health officials, unraveled government’s latest strategy in the fight against the Ebola menace.

While establishing the fact that Kenema district remains the most Ebola ravaged spot so far, the Minister noted that Western Area (Urban), Port Loko and Bo have lately emerged as places that require government’s close attention as confirmed cases continue to rise.

She informed the House that as of 12th August, 24 cases have been confirmed in Port Loko, 22 in Bo, 12 in Western Area (Urban) and 7 in Bombali adding that as of Wednesday, 13th August, 14 new cases have been confirmed in the Western Area (Urban), 2 in Port Loko and 12 in Bo.

She revealed further that as of 12th August, confirmed laboratory cases have risen to 717 nationwide with 264 deaths. She said that 193 have so far survived and that 94 admission cases are being reported in both Kenema and Kailahun combined. She said that Kenema reported 15 new cases while Kailahun recorded nil. She pointed out that Koinadugu district remains the only district in the country with no record of the presence of the virus.

The Health Minister pointed out that the effort at containing the virus in Port Loko is facing serious challenge as health personnel face strong resistance from the local people. She noted that such behaviors are impeding progress in the district in the Ebola fight.

She said that the wave of denial still looms in Port Loko for which reason military personnel have been deployed alongside health personnel to enhance the fight against the virus in the district.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Miatta Kargbo yesterday disclosed to the leadership of Parliament that while Kailahun district is recording downward trend in the Ebola virus cases, the Western Area, Bo and Port Loko districts are recording high cases of the Ebola virus in the country.

She was speaking at an emergency meeting summoned by the leadership of the House of Parliament at Committee Room No. 1. The Minister accompanied by senior health officials, unraveled government’s latest strategy in the fight against the Ebola menace.

While establishing the fact that Kenema district remains the most Ebola ravaged spot so far, the Minister noted that Western Area (Urban), Port Loko and Bo have lately emerged as places that require government’s close attention as confirmed cases continue to rise.

She informed the House that as of 12th August, 24 cases have been confirmed in Port Loko, 22 in Bo, 12 in Western Area (Urban) and 7 in Bombali adding that as of Wednesday, 13th August, 14 new cases have been confirmed in the Western Area (Urban), 2 in Port Loko and 12 in Bo.

She revealed further that as of 12th August, confirmed laboratory cases have risen to 717 nationwide with 264 deaths. She said that 193 have so far survived and that 94 admission cases are being reported in both Kenema and Kailahun combined. She said that Kenema reported 15 new cases while Kailahun recorded nil. She pointed out that Koinadugu district remains the only district in the country with no record of the presence of the virus.

The Health Minister pointed out that the effort at containing the virus in Port Loko is facing serious challenge as health personnel face strong resistance from the local people. She noted that such behaviors are impeding progress in the district in the Ebola fight.

She said that the wave of denial still looms in Port Loko for which reason military personnel have been deployed alongside health personnel to enhance the fight against the virus in the district.